Promoting Zero-time Exercise in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Summary

Background Physical activity (PA), is an effective means of protecting against cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. PA refers to any skeletal muscle bodily movement that requires energy expenditure. Research shows that low- to moderate-intensity muscle endurance exercise, such as walking or brisk walking for about 15-20 minutes per day, is associated with a significantly lower CVD risk regardless of body mass index. Mobile technologies such as smartphone physical exercise apps offer a potentially cost-effective platform for facilitating regular exercise, allowing individuals to set goals, receiving feedback on achievements and health information for facilitating regular exercise. "Zero-time Exercise" (ZTE) is a new concept for physical activities (PA) and exercise promotion and can easily attract attention especially when most people believe that extra time is needed to do exercise. ZTE can be done easily during most time of day, while sitting, standing, walking or waiting. These include simple movements, such as stretching and resistance (endurance) movements of the head, neck and shoulders, chest and abdominal muscles and the upper and lower limbs. When ZTE is integrated into daily life and sustained with increasing intensity, the effects could be substantial, especially for those who are sedentary and have difficulties to meet the minimal requirements of 150 minutes of at least moderate PA per week. The term is also intended to motivate people to start with simple exercises (the 'Foot-in-the-door' approach), change the mindset (that exercises need much time, money and sweats) and overcome the inertia from a sedentary lifestyle to become more active. It could also be a way to promote mental health (such as increasing happiness) through PA or exercises and enjoying the fun and satisfaction from the rapid improvements in fitness performances. Having brought some easily observable benefits quickly to those who are willing to try for a few days, ZTE might lead to more intensive or vigorous exercises requiring extra time for greater benefits.

Objective:

To test the feasibility \[recruitment, dropout, and adherence to PA\] of using whatsapp as an inertia reminder to promote the adherence of Zero-time Exercises (ZTE) in patients with CHD.

Conditions

• Exercise Adherence

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Zero-time exercises

The Investigators/research staff (RS) will help EXP download, operate the Zero-time exercises (ZTE) app and ZTE e-diary. The EXP can enter their goal for the chosen exercise by setting the target duration or number of completed repetitions, review their previous record, and compare their exercise frequency and time ranking with those of the other EXP. After the EXP uploads the goal and results to the ZTE e-diary, the data will be automatically sent to the ZTE app database for data analysis. The EXP will be given a paper diary to record their Zero-time exercises (ZTE). Twenty-five EXP will be given activity trackers (e.g. Fitbit) to record their steps/motion throughout the 3 months.

BEHAVIORAL

relaxation exercises and deep-breathing exercises

The Investigators/RS will teach the CON group (CON) to do relaxation exercises (RE) and deep-breathing exercises (DBE) for at least 30 mins every day. They will be helped download and use the electronic diary (CON\_e-diary) to record their RE and DBE. The CON will also be given a paper diary to record RE and DBE they have done if they prefer to use paper diary.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Po Tai Chan · School of Nursing, HKU

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

69 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-10-18

Primary Completion

2018-07-30

Completion

2018-07-30

Countries

• China

Study Locations